Whalers’ Caria named Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week

By League Press Release

February 25th, 2009

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that forward Matt Caria of the Plymouth Whalers is the Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 22. Caria scored two goals with eight assists for 10 points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-5.

On Friday night Caria scored one goal and two assists as part of a five-goal first period for the Whalers as they defeated the Sarnia Sting on the road 8-3. Caria would add a second period goal to complete his four-point night and was named third star of the game. On Saturday the Whalers had their six-game winning streak snapped against the Erie Otters losing 7-4. Caria contributed two assists in the loss. On Sunday he would put together another four-point game, assisting on every goal as the Whalers beat the Saginaw Spirit 4-1. Caria was named second star of the game.

Caria, a 20-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, ON, is in his fourth OHL season and first with Plymouth joining the Whalers midway through the 2008-09 campaign. He is currently tenth in league scoring with 22 goals and 50 assists for 72 points in 58 games. The Whalers, 8-2 in their last 10 games, have jumped to fourth place in the Western Conference standings.

Also considered this week was Brett Parnham of the Oshawa Generals who scored six goals and four assists for 10 points in four games. Parnham had a four-point night and was first star in a 7-5 win over the Saginaw Spirit last Monday. Brandon Biggers of the Erie Otters scored five goals and two assists for seven points in three games including a hat-trick and an assist for first star honours in the 7-4 win over the Plymouth Whalers on Saturday. In goal, Michael Hutchinson was perfect making 25 saves to shutout the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 6-0 Friday as third star of the game.');